The Bessemer school board this week approved several changes among the head coaches at Bessemer City High School, including the departures of football coach Billy Woodham and 17-year girls basketball coach Connie Morris.

Woodham will be replaced by former University of Alabama player and Bessemer City assistant Dennis Alexander.

Administration officials say they want a new direction for Bessemer City High, which will start its first full school year next month.

Morris claims there are other motives.

"The ultimate goal is to get me out of the district because I know too many things going on like grade changing, unfair treatment, discrimination and illegal contacts with student-athletes. The only way they can get rid of me is get rid of everyone else."

Principal Jerome Cook said that is not true.

"I was informed her that I was going to change coaches a couple of weeks ago. I don't know anything about any problems."

Morris, who will be replaced by Bonita Gordon, one of her former players and an elementary school teacher in the district, sued the district in 2000, claiming violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She claimed she received unequal wages to the boys coach and that the district failed to hire or promote the hiring of female coaches.